GRIMSRUD ELEMENTARY

Greetings Grizzly Families!

Thank you for taking a few minutes to review the latest school news and happenings with a second newsletter of the month. We wanted to make sure you knew a bit more about the rest of our amazing hard working staff in the "staff spotlight" part 2 below. I would also like to say thank you to those supporting our PTO fundraiser right now; we know this is an extra lift and are grateful for the funds it generates four our school functions. If you attended the PTO meeting this week, you got to see videos and photos of how these funds create meaningful experiences for each classroom to venture out into the community!

Looking forward to seeing everyone at Fall Fest,

~Dr. Brittany Upton

Grimsrud Elementary is a Title 1 School, which means we receive federal funding to help us achieve our Reading, Math, and SEL Goals. Please view the following links for more detailed Title 1 information:

• Grimsrud Parent and Family Engagement Compact
• Highly Qualified Staff Notification
• District Parent & Family Engagement Policy
• Title 1 Annual Meeting Brochure

We will be having our Fall Festival and Title 1 Annual Meeting which includes pumpkin painting, outdoor games, snacks and more on Tuesday September 29th from 5:00-6:30pm on our field/playground. We hope that you will be able to attend this family fun night!

This is my 7th year working in the district as an occupational therapist and my 7th year at Grimsrud Elementary! I also have the opportunity to serve Northridge Elementary and Horizon Middle School, and I’m excited to continue working with students and families across the district this school year.

Outside of school, I’ve been married to my husband, Dylan, for 8 years. We have two children, June (6) and Caiden (3), as well as two pups, Sophie, our Australian Shepherd, and Asher, our Black Lab.

In my free time I love reading, watching football, going for walks, cooking, and spending time outdoors with my family. I’m looking forward to another great school year!

Hi! I’m Ashley Berreth, and I’m excited for another school year! This is my 5th year teaching and 3rd year as a Special Education teacher, primarily working with students with Learning Disabilities (LD). I’m in my 3rd year at Grimsrud and 2nd year at Pioneer, splitting my time between Grimsrud in the mornings and Pioneer in the afternoons. I earned my B.S. in Elementary Education, with minors in Psychology and Special Education, from the University of North Dakota, and recently graduated from UND with my M.S. in Special Education. Outside of school, I have two cats, a little brother, and family nearby. I’m looking forward to a great year!

Hello! My name is Nicole Smith, and I am a Special Education teacher here at Grimsrud. This will be my fourth school year at Grimsrud, where I primarily support students with Autism and other significant support needs. Before coming to Grimsrud, I taught middle school Special Education for two years in my home state of Wisconsin. Outside of school, I love hiking, road trips, spending time outdoors, and my two cats! One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to know each of my students and finding ways to help them learn and grow in a way that works best for them. I love celebrating their accomplishments, helping them build independence and confidence, and watching them use the skills they have learned in new settings. I also love helping students build relationships and feel included in their school community. I am looking forward to another great year at Grimsrud and am excited to work with our students, families, and staff!

Hello families! I am truly looking forward to my fourth year as a Grimsrud Grizzly. Summer was so busy with family and activities, and it flew by. but, now I am ready for kiddos!

A little for those of you that don't know me. I am the Title I Math Interventionist here at Grimsrud Elementary. I grew up on a farm in the Red River Valley, on the Minnesota side. I graduated from Breckenridge High School, (a LONG time ago). I received my AS in Accounting from NDSCS, and my BS in Elementary Education from Minnesota State University Moorhead, with specialty areas in math and social studies.

My family and I moved to New Town in 2008, where I taught for 15 years. After my daughter, Libby, graduated in 2023, we moved to the Bismarck area for her to attend BSC. We have made our home in Bismarck just recently I became Grandma for the first time. Joey is the light of my world.

I am a self-professed math nerd, and I am excited to share my love of math with your kids! In my role, I will be working closely with students to support their math learning and help them build confidence and skills in this essential subject. My goal is to ensure that every student has the tools and understanding they need to succeed, helping them to strengthen their foundational skills and understand math concepts.

Here is a bit about my approach:

• Personalized Support: I will work with small groups and individual students to provide tailored instruction that meets their unique needs.
• Engaging Methods: I use a variety of teaching strategies and resources to make learning math both effective and enjoyable.
• Progress Monitoring: I will regularly assess student progress and adjust instruction to ensure that each child is progressing and reaching their full potential.

I believe that effective communication between home and school is crucial for student success. I encourage you to reach out to me if you have any questions, concerns, or if you would like to discuss your child’s progress. I am here to support not only the students but also to work collaboratively to help them achieve their goals.

Thank you for your support and partnership. I am looking forward to a fantastic year of learning and growth with your child!

My name is Mrs. Girodat, and this is my 7th year as the Title I Reading Specialist at Grimsrud Elementary. I have a passion for helping students build the foundational reading skills and confidence they need to become successful readers. If your child qualifies to receive Title I Reading services, I will be in contact with you to share more information and how we can work together to support your child’s reading growth this year.

Outside of school, my husband, Damien, and I have four kids: Daxton (8), Declan (6), Kinsley (5), and Addisyn (1 ½). Between taking our kids to swimming, golf, football, and/or wrestling, I enjoy staying home reading books and decorating cakes. You’ll likely catch me with either an iced white turtle mocha or a Bubblr in my hand.

Looking forward to a GREAT year of learning and reading!

A Little About Me!

• I am from Wing, ND
• I have taught in the district for 21 years
• My 3 boys keep me very busy
• I love to garden, travel and read
• I am so excited to be at Grimsrud and to help students develop their English language skills!

Can't wait to meet you!

Mrs. Brandy Geloff

This will be my 15th year at Grimsrud and I love being a part of the Grizzly family. In my free time I love camping, being on the lake, and enjoying coffee in my backyard with my dogs and a book. My husband and I have two labrador retrievers, Kona (chocolate) and Jax (yellow) that keep us busy in all the best ways. I can’t wait for a new school year.

Grimsrud families are going to receive free locally grown produce on SEPTEMBER 24th after school. Be on the lookout at pick-up for staff and volunteers handing out free produce.

A couple of weeks after picture day, a bright colored flyer will come home with a QR code or website link to order photos.

Grimsrud Elementary will be conducting vision screenings for grades K, 3, and 5 during the month of September. Students who wear glasses or contacts will not be screened. If you do not want your child to have vision screening, please email Nurse Dana to let her know, no later than Wednesday, September 23th at: dana_splonskowski@bismarckschools.org

Thank you!

Email: grimsrud_secretary@bismarckschools.org
Website: https://www.bismarckschools.org/grimsrud
Phone: 701-323-4150